Dan Jeannotte – Christmas At The Castle

By starrymag | December 23, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What is the premise for your film Christmas at the Castle?

A) A hard-working executive for a New York perfume company is mysteriously gifted with a beautiful perfume called “Heart of the Highlands.” Her demanding boss sends her off to the Scottish Highlands to secure the contract for the perfume. She discovers that the reclusive perfume maker is actually a Scottish Earl. And not only is he unwilling to sell off his prized family perfume, he is also INCREDIBLY charming and looks REALLY good in a kilt. [smiles]

 

Q) How was your character Alistair McGregor originally described to you?

A) What’s interesting about Alistair is his contradictions. He’s an Earl and he lives in a castle, but his passion is making perfumes. He’s a wealthy bachelor, but he’s not at all interested in the fancy balls and society dinners he’s invited to…He’d rather walk around the countryside with his dog. When Blair (Brooke Burfitt), the main character, first meets him — or rather, when she first realizes who he is — she’s a bit intimidated. She has no idea how to behave around an aristocrat like him. But the fact is, he’s not pompous or self-important. He’s a country boy at heart, and a homebody.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of this movie?

A) I spent a few months in Scotland back when I was twenty years old. And I loved it — the landscape, the people, the feeling of history. So, when I was presented with the idea of filming something on location in the Highlands, I was very keen. And then the script turned out to be delightful — cute, funny, romantic, a bit magical. In the end, I brought my family with me and we made a whole European Christmas trip out of it.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this film?

A) It was pretty cool when I realized I would be working with Geraldine Somerville — a.k.a. Harry Potter’s mother!!! And what was really so impressive about Brooke Burfitt, my co-star in the film, is that not only did she do a great job playing Blair, but also, she produced the movie! I’d say she was wearing more than one hat, but that undersells her. A producer already wears multiple hats…so Brooke was like a professional hat-juggler. I was amazed by her ability to guide the production, lead the crew and play the loveable heroine.

 

Q) Quite often the setting in a film can feel like a character in itself and also really add to the tone of the movie. How did Scotland and the Highlands really play a part in this?

A) One of the major things that really makes Christmas At the Castle stand out is the location. Scotland is such a gorgeous country. I feel so lucky to have been able to travel through it and spend time in such lovely places. And the titular castle is incredible. Glamis Castle has history going back to the 14th century. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth’s mother and where her sister Princess Margaret was born. And it’s actually Macbeth’s castle in Macbeth! It’s grand, impressive, full of fascinating nooks and hidden spots (and it’s got plenty of ghost stories too — but that’s for another movie). I think the landscape and the castle are a big part of what will make the movie so enjoyable to watch — like you’re spending a few hours in bonny Scotland yourself!

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to shoot for the movie?

A) We filmed a scene at a Scottish ceilidh — a party with traditional folk music and dancing. Only we didn’t really stage the dancing, it wasn’t choreographed or anything. They just got together a bunch of people for an actual ceilidh and sort of threw the actors in and filmed it. So, I was learning the dance steps as I went. The super friendly folks around me just tried to teach me while I was doing it and, hopefully, they helped me look like I knew what I was doing! But it was exhilarating — the music is so rousing, and the people around us were having such fun. It felt great just to throw myself into it.

Another scene I was very excited about was a trip to an actual award-winning chocolate shop, The Highland Chocolatier, in a lovely town called Pitlochry. The master chocolatier himself, Iain Burnett, makes a cameo in the movie. He was very gracious and kind, taught us about his complex chocolate making process and, of course, we got to sample the chocolates. I’d make a trip back to Scotland just to have those truffles again…

Also, we did a scene where Brooke has a run-in with some Highland cows and that was pretty funny to witness! Not much acting going on in that scene. Just Brooke legitimately worried about getting close to these massive, long-haired, huge-horned animals and me laughing at her.

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Christmas at the Castle?

A) In the end, I think it’s a story about being honest — honest with others about who you truly are and honest with yourself about what you want. And I hope that people come away from the movie thinking, “Well, it worked out for that workaholic New Yorker and that perfume-mixing Scottish Earl — why can’t it work out for me?”

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan response you’ll be receiving?

A) It’s always gratifying when people on social media let me know how they feel about the projects I’ve been a part of. It’s even better when they like my work, but I’m learning to appreciate constructive criticism, too. [smiles]

I hope that Christmas At the Castle is the kind of cozy movie that makes you feel good, that lightens people’s loads a little bit. I think we can all use some load-lightening, maybe especially this year.

 

Q) The holidays look a little different this year. What are some of your personal traditions that you will be adjusting this year?

A) Well, I’ll be home with my wife and our five-year-old son and our new dog… We obviously want to do our part to help slow the spread of the virus, to make sure everyone can come out of this pandemic sooner rather than later. So, we’re not seeing any family over the holidays, as much as we miss them. We’ll be doing some virtual present-opening with the grandparents and instead of sharing a drink with our siblings and parents in front of the fire, we’ll do it in front of a video-conferencing screen! I think the important thing to remember is it’s just one Christmas that’s going to be different like this. If we all cooperate now, and follow the science, there’s a good chance that next year we’ll be having a “normal Christmas” again.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

A) Really? You like me? Aw shucks… Thank you, that means a lot. I think you’re great too! Keep it up!